Signal-box



(NOM0de1.) 4

H. MOGONEGAL 8: S. D. LAKE.

SIGNAL BOX.

No. 308,036, Pa.tented N0v. 11, 1884.

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HIRAM MOGONEGAL A ND STEPHEN D. LAKE, OF BROOKLYN, NEYV YORK.

SIGNAL=BOX.

SPECIFICATIOIT forming part of Letters Patent No. 308,036, dated November 11, 1884.

Application filed February 11, 1884. (No model.)

T all whom it 72mg concern: Be it known that we, HIRAM MoGoNnoAL and STEPHEN D. LAKE, citizens of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sigrial-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the class of inst-ru- IO ments employed for mechanically transmitting prearranged signals upon an electric circuit through the operation of a circuit-breaking wheel, which is designed to be actuated by the force exerted thereupon by a spring after the z 5 same has been wound by the operator and released.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient instrument capable of transmitting as many distinct signals as it may be necessary or desirable to employ in districttelegraph or other analogous service.

Theinvention consists,generally,in constructing a circuit-breaking wheel which is adapted to be turned in one direction by hand and in 2 5 the opposite direction by the retractile force of a spring in such a manner that when turned by hand to a given pointalocation-signal will be transmitted in the usual manner, for indicating at a central station the point or building at which the box is situated from which the signal proceeds, and at the same time indicating the particular character of the service requiredsuch, for instance, as a messenger, a carriage, or the like. If, how

ever, the signal or transmitting wheel be turned by handa short distance fart-her, asig nal consisting of a single impulse will precede the location-signal, and this will indicate that a certain other class of service is desired.

1,0 Likewise a still furthermovement of the wheel against the tension of the spring will cause two preliminary impulses to be transmitted, for indicating still another class of service; and the same method of employing preliminary signals may be extended sufficiently to provide for each distinct class of service which it is desired to indicate, a servicedesignating sig nal consisting of a particular number of similar or characteristic impulses being caused to precede the location-signal. The automatic transmitting-wheel is preferably so constructi ed that a somewhat greater interval will occur between the transmission of the groups of the service-designating and the location-designating impulses than occurs between the respective impulses used in each group.

It has usually been the practice to employ one or more repetitions of the location-designating signal for the purpose of indicating the particular kind of service required. For example, if a station be assigned the number 38, one repetition of three impulses, followed after a short interval -by eight consecutive impulses, would be interpreted at the central office as a call for a messenger. The same combination of signals immediately repeated would be understood as a call for police, and when thrice repeated as a fire-alarm, and so on. This method of signaling has usually been adopted in call-boxesin which the trans- 7o mitting-wheel remains at rest during the operation of winding the spring, but completes one advance revolution for each complete 10- cation-signal when the spring is released. In some instances, however, the signal-transmitting wheel has been constructed to repeat the location-signal one or more times each revolution. In a patent of J. H. O. \Vatts, No. 181,383. a signal-box of this general character is described, the different classes of service 8 being designated by the number of times the signal-transmitting wheel is revolved-that is to say, by the number of times the place designating signal is repeated.

Another method of construction which is 8 sometimes adopted consists in causing a certain number of equalspaced impulses to be transmitted after the location-signal has been transmitted. In carrying out this method, however, it has been necessary to employ one device for giving thelocation-signal and asecond adjustable device for determining the servicesignal. These devices, in so far as We are aware, have never been so constructed that the servicesignal could be given by a single operation of the transmitting-wheel and before the location signal is sent.

In the Field and Ladd s stem, described in Patent No. 185,445, the place-designating signal is first transmitted, and then the servicedesignating signal is sent. This arrangement necessitates the employment of a movable bridge-piece for the purpose of varying the latter signal, because the transmittingwheel is required to make a complete revolution for each signal transmitted.

It is often very desirable that the servicedesignating signal should be given first. Thus, in fire-signaling especially, where expedition is of the utmost importance, it is best to k now at once that the signal is for fire, and in fact in all classes of signaling it is very advantageous that the character of the service required should be indicated before the place.

In carrying out our invention we mount rigidly upon a central shaft a segmental or transmitting wheel the periphery of which is indented, in a manner hereinafter described, for

transmitting during a portion of its revolution a location-signal in some wellknown manner, and during another portion of its revolution one or more impulses which constitute service-signals. The shaft upon which the transmitting-wheel is mounted is provided with a crank for turning it in one direction, a spring, and a ratchet-wheel. and pawl permitting the shaft and transmittingwheel to be turned in one direction to wind the spring. The stress of the spring which has been thus placed under tension causes the shaft and wheel to return to their normal position when the crank is released. The wheel, as it is turned by means of the crank, may be stopped in any one of several positions. Thus it may be stopped at the point from which, by its reverse movement, it will transmit merely the location'signal, or it may be stopped at such a position that it will transmit one or more service-signal impulses before the locatiolrsignal is given. It is evident that if the transmitting wheel be fixed to the windingshaft it will be turned in a reverse direction during the preparatory movement of the same, and hence some means must be provided for preventing the transmission in reverse order of the impulses comprised in the signal to be given during this preparatorymovement. In the ordinary signal-box such a device is not required, for the reason that the transmittingwheel remains stationary while the spring is being wound, and turns only in an advance directionf' For the purpose of accomplishing the abovementioned result, we prefer to employ in connection with the transmitting -wheel a mechanically-actuated device which, during the advance movement of the wheel, causes the connections of the circuit to be made and broken in a manner dependent upon the notches or indentations of the wheel. \Vhen, however, the wheel is moved by the crank in the opposite direction for the purpose of winding the spring and setting the transmittingwheel in the desired position, the circuit-hr terrupting device is not actuated, because a pivoted cam intervenes between the wheel and the circuit-closing point, which yields to the reverse movement of the wheel without actuating the circuit-closing device. Instead of a mechanically actuated device, however, an automatic shunt may be employed which is adapted to close an independent circuit through the instrument during the reverse movement. Vhen such a sh Lint-circuit is employed, the wheel may be constructed to transmit the desired impulses directly through the projections upon its periphery and a contactbrush resting thereon.

In a patent of A. Allens, No. 90,806, there is described an instrument wherein a fixed fire-alarm signal is sent, and then a place-designating signal, and this succession of signals is repeated, so that an alarm-signal is interposed between any two successive box or place signals. The alarm-signal is not, however, a variable signal, and the apparatus cannot, by causing the transmitting-wheel to be revolved a greater or less distance, be employed for transmitting different classes of service-signals, as is the case with that of the applicants.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of an instrument embodying the features of our invention; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 illustrates a modification in the construction of the instrument.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents a suitable supporting-frame for the various parts of the mechanism, and B a suitable inclosingcase for the same. Extending upwardly through the center of the instrument is a shaft, 0, which is provided with a crank, c, and a spring, designed to be wound when the crank is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow 00. One end of the spring 0 is attached to a permanent support and the other end to the shaft 0, in the usual manner. A toothed wheel, 0 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 0, and carries a pawl, a, which engages the successive teeth of a ratchet-wh eel, d, when the crank-shaft is turned, as in the act of winding the spring. The wheel (Z is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 0, and when the crank is released after winding the spring the shaft revolves in the'direction of the arrow by the action of the spring, thereby causing the toothed wheel 0 to be revolved. A suitable escapement-train, D, is connected with the toothed wheel 0, and serves as a governor for preventing a too rapid movement of the same under the influence of the spring.

Upon the shaftGis rigidly mounteda transmitting-wheel, E. This wheel is provided with a series of notches, 6, cut into its periphery, for actuating a circuit-controlling device, F, when the wheel is revolved in the direction indicated by the arrow y. Two classes of notches, e, are formed in the wheel E, the one class, 0, adapted to so actuate the circuit-controlling device that itwill transmit aseries of impulses designed to indicate the location number of' the box-for example, a series of five impulses, followed after a slight pause by three similar impulses, and after a second pause by two more impulses. This would indicate at the central station that the box from which the signal proceeded is 532. The other class, 6 of the notches e are designed to indicate the character of service which may be desired. There may be any required number of these notches c and they are equidistant from each other. These notches are prefera bly placed in the same radial lines as are the teeth of the ratchet-wheel (Z, for apurpose 1 silient arm,f

hereinafter explained.

Against the periphery of the transmittingwheel E rests a pivoted pawl or pallet, f, which is carried upon the extremity of a re- The arm f presses the pawl or cam f toward the periphery of the wheel E, and causes it to fall between the successive notches e as they pass beneath it. XVhen the pawl f is thus forced into any one of the notches e,a contact-point, f upon the arm f will be caused to impinge upon a corresponding contact-point, f carried upon an insulated arm, f. The arms f andf are respectively designed to be connected with the incomingand outgoing electric conductors by means of suitable binding-posts g and g. Vhen, however, a tooth or projection between any two of the notches e is caused to pass beneath the pawl f by the revolution of the wheel E in the direction indicated by the arrow 1, the

arm f will be pushed outward, thereby separating the pointf from the pointf' and interrupting the circuit. It will be understood, therefore, that whenever the wheel E is revolved by the action of the spring a in the direction indicated by the arrowt, a signal will be transmitted, consisting of a number of alternate interruptions and completions of the circuit, depending upon the point from which 0 the transmitting-wheel commences to move wheel E during the movement of that wheel toward the right hand. The act of winding the spring a" and moving the transmittingwheel in the position required for sending any desired signal, the1'efore,will not cause an in- 5 5 terruption of the circuit.

- the signal or call box.

Upon the face of the cover B of the box are inscribed figures, characters, or other convenient designations of the several classes of service for which it may be desired to employ In the drawings we have represented eight numerals. These are preferably so disposed that by turning the crank c in the direction indicated by the arrow, so that the pointer or index 1) stands op- 6 5 posite the figure 1, the whole series of notches a will be caused to pass the pawl f, and by the reverse'movement of the wheel E a series of completions and interruptions of the circuit will be occasioned which will indicate the number of the boxin this instance, 532. A 0

signal of this character may be employed for indicating that a messenger is desired. If the crank be turned so that the pointer b stands at the numeral 2, the reverse movement of the wheel E would cause the signal last described 7 5 to be preceded by asingle service -designating signal, which might be employed as a policecall, for instance; and in this manner to each of the numerals is assigned a particular kind of service, and by moving the pointer to the several numerals a corresponding signal will be given, which will be either the simple location or number signal, or the same preceded by the one, two, three, or more service-designating signals.

8 It will be understood that the parts should be so constructed that the pawl 0 should be in position to engage the ratchet-wheel d only when the pointer bis brought to one of the numeralsthat is to say, it should not engage the wheel when the pointer is between two of these numerals. For this reason the wheel (1 is preferably constructed with its teeth in the same radial lines with the notches e or else in radial lines separated by equal angles thereto, and the pawl c is so applied that it will engage them successively as the spaces or notches e pass the pawl or cam f,- and the parts are still further so organized that t-h'c pawl f will be between two of the'teeth when the pointer stands at any one of thenumerals.

For the purpose of more readily distinguishing between the two classes of signals, the notches e are preferably made short and close together, while the notches e are longer and 10 separated by a greater distance, and the two sets are furthermore preferably separated from each other by a considerable space, as shown at e.

In Fig. 3 a modification of the invention is no illustrated, in which the circuit is completed directly through the transmitting-wheel and a contact-brush resting against the periphery of the same. In this instance, since the completions of the circuit are occasioned by the contact of the projections or teeth betweenthe. notches, instead of by the passage of the notches beneath the pawl, the wheel is in effect reversed, so that a projection occurs in the wheel E in place of an indentation in the wheel E,

and vice versa. The contactbrush 70, through which the circuit is closed when in contact with the wheel E, is insulated from the frame and constitutes one terminal of the circuit.

The other terminal is connected through the 12 frame with the wheel E. This construction also necessitates the employment of some form of automatic short-circuiting device for preventing a signal from being given while the crank is being turned toward the right hand. 1

In the drawings an arm, at, extending from a plate, on", loosely mounted upon the shaft 0, is shown. This plate at is pressed against the surface of the wheel E by means of a flexible spring-washer, m. The arm m extends between an insulated post or stop, a. and a contact-arm, n". The contact-arm n is connected by means of a conductor, n flwith the brush k. When the wheel E is revolved in the proper direction to wind the spring, the arm m will be pressed against the contact-airma thereby completing the circuit independently of the brush k. The brush it normally rests upon a projection or tooth, e", which is of sufficient width to maintain the circuit-connections complete when the wheel E is turned by the crank until the arm m is placed in contact with the arm of. It may be here observed that,the circuit being closed when the crank is moved for winding the spring, it will remain closed when the pointer has been brought to rest at any given point; but as it will be immediatelyinterrupted by the reverse movement of the wheel, it is preferred to so construct the parts that the brush it will rest upon one of the teeth e when the pointer bis at oneof the numerals. In this manner it will beinsured that the proper interval will elapse before the commencement of the signal.

It is intended to employ this box in connection'with any of the usual additional appliances used in district telegraph, police, fire, and other similar systems. It may also be employed in exchange systems, and a device may be employed for signaling back when the call has beenreceived in the central office, in the usual manner. It is evident, moreover, that the number of calls employed may be greater or less than eight, as desired, and, instead of intervals, words descriptive of the service required. Suitable stops may also be employed for limiting the motion of the crank, especially adjustable or movable stops located at the points where the most frequently employed services are indicated.

\Ve claim as our invention- 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a transmitting-wheel, of, a fixed contaet-point, a circuit-closing arm, and a pawl pivoted to said arm and resting against the periphery of said wheel, which pawl is adapted to separate said arm from said contact-point during the movements of said wheel in one direction, but to actuate said arm during the movements of said wheel in the opposite direction.

2. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of a transmitting wheel having teeth formed in its periphery, a circuit-closing arm, a pawl pivoted thereto, a shoulder upon said pawl, which prevents it from turning upon its pivot in one direction, while it is free to turn in the opposite direction, and a contact-point against which said circuit-closin g arm rests when said pawl is between any two of the teeth of said wheel.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a shaft, a spring, means D for turning said shaft in a given direction, and

hereb windim said s rin acircuit-closin y z: a; b

through which the brake-wheel has been rotated, and subsequently by the groups of indentations.

i. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a transmitting-wheel for automatic transmitters, having a number of equidistant notches or indentations preceding one or more groups of indentations, a mainline conductor, a circuit-interrupter included in the circuit of said main line, and means, substantially such as described, by which said wheel is automatically revolved in the direction by which said interrupter is actuated, first by any desired number of the equidistant notches, depending on the are through which the brake-wheel has been rotated, and subsequently by the group or groups of indentations.

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a signaldesignating wheel provided with two series of indentations, and means for revolving said wheel through different predetermined fractions of a revolution, thereby transmitting firstaservice-designating signal which is dependent upon the distance through which the wheel is revolved, and subsequently a place-designating signal.

6. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of a circuit-controller, a transmitting-wheel having a number of equidistant notches or indentations and one or more groups of indentations formed on its periphery, a spring adapted to move said wheel in such a direction that said equidistant notches first actuate said circuit-controller and subsequently said group or groups, a crank adapted to move said wheel in the opposite direction and to simultaneously wind said spring, and a dial having different servicedesignating characters formed thereon, by causing said crank toindicate anyone of which characters a signal will be transmitted through the reverse movement of said transmittingwheel, consisting of a particular predetermined number of equidistant impulses pre ceding a definite number of impulses arranged in groups, substantially as described.

7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a transmitting-wheel having formed upon its periphery a series of equidistant indentations and one or more groups of indentations, and a spring which, when released, causes said wheel to revolve in such direction that said equidistant indentations precede said group or groups of indentations, of a circuit-controlling arm, a pawl pivoted to said arm and resting against the periphery of said wheel, which pawl is scribed our names, the said HIRAM McGoNE- GAL on the 8th day of February, A. D. 1884,

and the said STEPHEN D. LAKE on the 8th day' of February, A. D. 1884.

HIRAM MOGONEGAL. STEPHEN D. LAKE.

Witnesses:

CLARENCE E. BURNHAM, O. BOUOHARD. 

